Kona Falls : Thiruvallur, India
November 8, 2007
After tasting hot dosa, vada, idly with groundnut chutney and steaming coffee served with the aroma of Chennai, the breakfast induced energy in me for a long journey. Packing my kit with camera, water bottle, writing pad and towels, we left early just after dawn before the mercury could soar higher.
My affectionate friend Dwaraknath and his family members were courteous and their hospitality knew no limits. I knew him only as a colleague, a brotherly and jovial friend, but not as an enthusiastic car driver who eagerly agreed to sit behind the wheel.
Our destination was ‘Kona falls’ within the limits of the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh which is 60 km from Tiruninravur, Chennai. Dwarak showed his mettle in skillful maneuvering of many sharp bends and irregular patches of roads. After crossing a tiny hamlet Nagalapuram near Tiruvallur, we reached the famous Poondi Reservoir, a mammoth store house with sluice and other inlet channels in perfect state. The inner service road and area were kept spotlessly clean.
Many agricultural lands of Oothukkottai were exhibiting different tints of green and the women folk were busy engaged in kernel transplantation. The chorus song they sang in the dialect to keep them energetic reminded me of the lines from Wordsworth’s ‘The Solitary Reaper’. We chose not to stay but gently passed after a click without disturbing them. The bumpy drive at times gave a soothing massage to the aching parts.
The curvy, clean, long road bedecked with mountains on either side was a joy to drive. Surutupalli is a calm village where we stopped for a while en route to catching the glimpse of the lord ‘Sri Pallikonda Swamy’. The temple under renovation was very calm and was being visited by the locals.
Just before entering the Puthur highway and swerving to the left, an arch welcomes you to the ‘Kailasanatha Kona Falls’ which is 2.6 km from the road. Though it slightly looked uninhabited, the movement of vehicles was clearly visible. Suddenly we entered a vast parking land surrounded by lush foliage. We gasped at the bustling activity, the crowd and the ubiquitous monkeys there.
Climbing a few steps we reached the spot. The serene surroundings with a picturesque hillock covered by lichens, ferns and many hanging wild herbs came alive with a downpour from the heights. Though it appeared scanty in the summer, the local folks say that it has abundant supply during the rest of the season and overflows in monsoon. Kona hills give a perennial source of water to beat the heat and cool down under the showers. There are visitors who frequent this place every weekend!
The experience of oneness with nature and the rejuvenating bath under the water falls left us dumb struck. Do we have more of these resorts to quench the thirst and recharge the tired souls of the city dwellers? Well, there are untold places to explore that are less traveled and away from the noisy metros.
Hot bajjis, mangoes, tender palm fruits and rice meal at the base of the hill were sufficient for lunch. Vroom…off the road we came with fullness and our search for the next destination has begun.
About the Author : S.Chandrasekar writes from Chennai, India. He is a freelance creative writer for Travel & Shopp magazine (Chennai & Bengaluru). With a post graduate degree in Science and Business Administration, he is at present working for a BPO company as Manager-HR. He has authored two books on self-improvement and has penned a few hundred essays and articles in English & Tamil. His website is http://www.geocities.com/chandruselva/Divine-Pearl.html
The TSM Fall Travel Writing Contest has been organized in association with On The Beach Holidays
That’s really wonderfu. I wish to go to south India and would like to explore the calm serene nature and the place mentioned above. The pictorial depictation of the solitary reaper reminds me of my childhood days. Good flow of words and the standard of writing seems pretty high! Hats off to the Chandras.
I think to my knowledge it is Thiruvallur and not Thiruvallavur as mentioned by you. Artichle is worth reading as it goes with nature. Wordsworth’s narrtion touched my soul.
wow! i had a great nature travel to Thiruvallavur without spending a penny !……………by reading the way of nature style of article, i felt that i was on the Top of the world . heartly thanks to chandru.
The article was excellent. I used to go thru tiruvallur several times but I was so much disappointed that I missed such a wonderful place. Full praise to the author Mr Chandrasekar in exploring this tiny town. Exepcting many more adventurous trips from the author
nice to read. It gives a natual feeling of having visited personally. I rate it good.
Hats off to the Mr.Chandru…His narration about the place made the feeling of being at place in person..Secret shame is Thiruvallur being hometown of mine
I havn’t been to that place…Now after reading this article I have planned to visit the place with my family this weekend itself…Thanks to the Mr.Chandru as well as Travelling Stories magazine….Awaiting for next article from the authour..
Virtually I have visited “Kona Falls” after reading Mr. Chandru article. Thanx and Keep it up Mr. Chandru. Expecting more articles from the author (Mr. Chandru). I rate it GOOD.
Hi Mr. Chandrasekahar, your style of writing is very natural. Reader won’t feel any untolarable hype. I appreciate your meticulous observation as a travel writter. Even your narrations elevate the reader and give a feel of the place as the traveller experience. (ex: “The chorus song they sang in the dialect to keep them energetic reminded me of the lines from Wordsworth’s ‘The Solitary Reaper’.”) is really wonderful. Congrats. Look forward to more articles from you.
I rate this article as 5 out 5.
Regards.
Maju.
So great , i love to see this place
All the best chandru i am expecing alot from you.
Its so great to see your article. The way you have written this article is so simple and everyone will feel very happy. I hope your pen will deliver so many to readers to feel happy whenever they are under pressure.
All the Best
“JAI HIND”
Mr. Chandrasekar’s article is very informative with poetic and philosophical touch, it brings us closed to nature..liked very much and expect many more..keep it up
No words to express the beautiful narration of nature; the words are alive and touching the soul than we (Americans) do.
Good job Chandru. Certainly good job. I believe this article clearly states your passion towards writing and usage of words sensibly. It’s time you need to take call about serious writing (i mean taking it as a serious profession).
The article is very constructive, congruent and coherent. Describing nature is not every ones’ cup of tea . But, you done it well finishing your cup of coffee (your starting sentence)
I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST FOR ALL YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVOURS.
Cheers,
Yasho.
kudos to Mr Chandrashekar. Lovely travelling story.Penning a travelling story ironically is all the more a daunting task because u have to carry the reader literally on your shoulders ( or is it on your pen, haha ) all the way along. And honestly i was mentally travelling along with you and enjoyed the beauty and serenity of the kona falls and its environment , though in fact i have been there quite a number a times. It was like going there another time.
HATS OFF..
So when’s OUR next trip ??haha
bye
Frankly speaking I don’t dislike any part of a country for whatsoever reasons. Though I have not visited southern India, I have read good articles about it. A novelist or poet cannot become a travel writer just like that. It requires patience, love for nature, country and people. This man has it.
Hats off to the travel writer.
hi chnadru
very good
I know that mr. chandrasekar was a writer, after reading this article, I agreed that he was a Very Good writer.
Mr. Chandrasekar’s article is very informative with poetic and philosophical touch, it brings us closed to nature..liked very much.
Chandreshekar’s narration is classic. He has proved that in the modern the art of writing is still alive. After a very long time i am reading such a beutiful and lively article. While going through his narration we never and feel bored and he takes us with picture in front of our eyes.
Hi Chandru,
Your article on Kona falls was very refreshing. I am sure those who read the article will be able to attach themselves with your article because of your simple narration. Everyone will definitely would like to visit this kona falls to escape from city’s polluted lifeand especially because of your bhajji and mango narration. Hats of to you.
About the Author : S.Chandrasekar rocks from Chennai
Great………………………….
Along with the narrration of nature in a lucid way, the author’s focus on his colleague, his talents and his family appears natural. That shows how much the writer who is dealing with human resources (source: About the Author) truly cares for his teammate. Hey..all HR bossing guys …please look into the benchmarking practice on individual & interpersonal approach. Hoping to emulate his style!
The writer’s style and narration is a blend of Wordsworth and RK.narayan. No unnecessary bombastic words and the style is apt for any normal reader. Else the shakespearean way of a dry style for a travel story will be irksome……!!!
Its very nice
Dear Mr. Chandrasekar,
Thank you so much for your comments on my piece. Your kind words mean the world to me.
Your piece is very lovely and really captures the colors, the curves, the foliage and the foods of India. I can see it, taste it, and feel it. There was a waterfall near McLeod Ganj, the Bhagsu waterfall, where people would retreat and cool off. But your fall sounds much more tropical and lush.
I hope that someday I will see Chennai. I very muched loved being in India. I have a great deal of respect for your country and its many complexities.
– Zoe
Dear Ms.Zoe,
Thank you so much for the appreciation. Welcome to Chennai and enjoy filter coffee, jasmine flowers, idly with sambar, baratha natyam, classical music, and the reminiscence of the erstwhile British colonial era that are the ‘brands’ of Chennai.
Travel throughout India and enjoy the ‘Incredible experience’.
>Chandrasekar
Mr. Chandru,
Your article on Kona falls is very interesting and simple. After reading ur article i am so excited and have planned to visit the place as soon as possible as this article brings the real picture in front of our eyes.
All the Best .
Dear and respected Chandru,
Sir, ur article on Konai falls is so nice and beautiful.. ur way of narration about konai falls is so simple and superb so that it makes us to understand easily. It tempts me a very lot to go to that place to see such beautiful water falls. ur article is so interesting and informative. sir pls continue ur further works on it. I pray to god for u to win this contest. All the very best sir. GREAT, SUPERB and FANTASTIC. repeat the same.
sir simply mindblowing.. hats off for the beautiful description…simply awesome
Hai, Chandru Sir,
I read your article on Kone Falls. I was amazing that I could feel and see the Mother nature in front of my eyes. The way you handled the language was very much attractive and that gives us moral idea of how to express ourselves in an
highly scholoric manner. The nature, the folky people the routes, the Kone falls and the dish described by u really envoked hunger in me this evening. Sir, we read the photos that you caught in your notepad, but we are eager to see the photos that you caught in your camera, so if possible, please forward all the fotos to us I mean our office staffs, Please continue to write more and more articles. Hats off to you, my dear Sir.
Hii Chandru
Your article brings the kone falls in front of us. It was really a great experience.Bingo!
great narration
Those unforgettable memories.
Just a flash which ran into my mind,
of our reunion.
The enjoyable moments with my arms
around the shoulders of my friends,
which I had in the past at the same place.
Yes, it is Dwarak again who took us all there….
Kudos to him for taking the author again.
Those same feelings and joy,
Expressed by chandru’s words.
which made me to hear the sound of the water from my Laptop.
Hats of to the author to make me remember those days and for explaining the beauty of the place to the whole world.
Suresh Kumar Srinivasan.
Thank you Suresh. Your words are equally good in making me visualize your memories.
I dedicate the success of this story to my dear brother Dwarak who was instrumental in getting me there.
well described th place and nature .
sheelu , suresh’s friend
The freshness and the pastures of konay falls took me as if i was there…. the last lines in the first para were a touch of real thoughts…and the blend with the posets lines are too gud to be felt….and the closure of the article leaves us with the thought that its definetely a place to be visited…
sharon ( suresh’s friend)
Chandru sir,
Great …
Hi…
I have been watching the rating score board for quite some days. Howz it that your points have fallen down considerably overnight by 18 points? I don’t think the process is fair.
I like travel stories. Writer has brought a feel of a personal visit to the fall in tiruvallur, a place of natural vegetation.
Thanks and Congratulation to the writer for taking me through their travel to the Kokan falls, breaking the us from the daily chores of busy life in chennai. I dream to visit Konkan in near future. Hope the dream comes true.
Great piece of traveling writing depicts the writers involvement in nature and scenic beauty.
Hi alI,
I am the thrid umpire and am watching the score board closely. To the dismay I found that ratings of all the runner up contestants have been pulled down to the valley and very difficult to climb up again. Bullish & Bearish fever?
The voting pattern has to be changed completely.
Fondly,
Deborah
The Voting pattern is not at all fair. It has to changed completely. Iam watching the rating score board for the past two weeks starting from day one. I found the rating of the Leading Contestant is dragged down for the past 3 days.
How could this happen all of a Sudden?
Quite Strange and Surprising!
I thank Deborah and Rosita for the umpiring job. It is all in the game and we have to accept.
I also felt that the points for my story that was in 3.78 suddenly fell down to 3.45 which is incredible and overnight the count that voted top for another story had voted least for this story and thus pulled down. Just I remember the action of a push-pull amplifier…haha.!
Overall there were some 32 votes extra in my score board today morning that had pulled me down. So campaigning from my side proves to be a waste of time and mailbox only left flooded.
This was my first submission to TSM as a contestant. Henceforth I will think twice before contesting.
I thank all the readers, critics, friends, wellwishers and co-contestants (especially Zoe Krylova) who motivated me. My thanks goes to the TSM Editor Mr.Michael for publishing the travel story.
Regards,
S.Chandrasekar
Hi Chandrasekar,
Firstly, great story and thank you for the kind words. Indeed, this was the inaugural reader voted contest which as like all initial ventures faces its own set of unique challenges.
We live and learn and the next TSM competition will have a completely revised voting system to prevent any unfair voting as the purpose of this contest is to motivate travelers to narrate their adventures in a friendly constructive environment where they can receive honest and accurate feedback.
Your story created quite a bit of interest, and I’m sure your next submission will as well.
Good luck in your writing Chandrasekar and if you would like to further participate on TSM in anyway please let me know,
Michael
hai this sujan,
I am from the village what chandru has mentioned above .
It’s really very fine to visit.But the thing is the place is not near to tiruvallurt. The place belong’s to chittor district of Andhra pradesh(national highway tirupathi chennai).
Nice writeup! I’ve been to Kone twice in the past 4 months, and I liked it so much. There is another falls near Kone, which probably is flowing from the same mountain from where Kone emerges. Do you know of any similar places nearby chennai for 1 - 2 days touring?
Dear Chandru,
Your article on Konai falls is beautiful and wonderful. Your have narrated it in a simple way and makes it to understand in an easy way. It tempts us to visit this place with our family to see such beautiful waterfalls.
Great job and keep continuing to write for some interesting facts.
Srinath.
Dear Srinath,
It is my pleasure to read your comments on my travel story and thank you so much for reading it and for the generous words of appreciation. I have done another article on the same site with the title ‘Kodumudi and the Cauvery’. You can read that too and hope would like it.
Finest regards,
Chandru
Absolutely true! Recently i got a chance 2 visit kona with ma frnz. i do reside in chennai. we gathered2gether n travelled in bike! twas really awesome. importantly the steep road to the way towards falls turned me in to kid, n made me enjoy like how a kid gets enthusiased whist travelling across such a road….
then we reached falls, the place looked so great. The most captivating expedition is the adventurous expedition to a small water reserved in a place tat looked as a swimming pool on the top of mountain, we went there. i was dumbstruck on reaching tat place…. i enjoyed the fullest on the day! cant really express ma feel through words, it gotta be felt!!!! i wud suggest every1, juz visit kona n u’ll experince groove inside u…. thank u folks!
It is really a fantastic experience there…
But there is not adequate facilities to stay there…and it should be improved to cover all people
If the contact nos of the temples & places are provided, it will be highly useful to go there after confirming its opening time, closing time, etc.,
Very nice.
Regards,
T V Ganapathy
Hi,
Iam planning to visit kone falls this weekend , is this a ideal time to visit the falls.
Is the water flowing there sufficient to have a bath .
Or if someone has the contact number of hotel nearby ?
Please guide me.
[…] the info i know. 3. Poondi Dam - 60+km from chennai - Again i dont know much information. 4. Konai falls - 60+ km from chennai - again not much information abt the place(found some details abt the place […]
[…] the info i know. 3. Poondi Dam - 60+km from chennai - Again i dont know much information. 4. Konai falls - 60+ km from chennai - again not much information abt the place(found some details abt the place […]